Sen. Barack Obama walks with daughter Sasha, 7, in Chicago, Friday, Oct. 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
by Frank James
It sounds like it was more trick than treat for Sen. Barack Obama who had a little more attention today than he cared for from the press pool as he was doing his fatherly duty on Halloween with daughter Sasha.
Lynn Sweet, our friend at the Chicago Sun-Times who was in the journalist pool keeping an eye on the presidential candidate for the rest of the press corps filed this report:
Barack Obama became annoyed Friday afternoon with the press pool got too close while Obama was out walking to a Halloween party with daughter Sasha.
"All right guys. That's enough. You've got a shot. Leave us alone. Come on guys. Get back on the bus," Obama said, looking very annoyed.
A few moments later, on 50th St., a Polish television crew got too close and Obama stopped, looked very annoyed and the Obama pool retreated as he broke into a run. The Polish crew was not part of the Obama press crew.
Obama was holding Sasha's hand as he took off running, heading east on 50th, turning north on Woodlawn, still in a trot. He was en route to a Halloween party at the home of Marty Nesbitt, his close friend who is the treasurer of the Obama presidential campaign.
Here's the chronology of the small dustup:
The pool arrived at the corner of 50th and Greenwood at 4:11 p.m. Chicago time from Midway Airport. This holding spot was at the north end of the leafy Obama block, where the trees are just starting to turn colors.
Streams of costumed trick-or-treaters were about; those who ventured were allowed past the barricade on the Obama corner but did not get past the second barricade closer to the house.
There was a bit of a commotion surrounding the surprise walk. At 5:13 p.m.
the pool reboarded the bus, told that he was heading to the barber. A few moments after the pool bus started west on 50th, Katie Lillie got word from the agent on board that Obama was taking a walk. With that surprise, the bus quickly drove around the block in order for the pool to catch up with Obama.
Back at 50th and Greenwood, the pool dashed off the bus to see Obama heading south on the east side of Greenwood, strolling hand-in-hand with Sasha.
Obama was wearing sunglasses, dark slacks, a dark jacket partly unzipped to show a white shirt, no tie. Sasha was wearing a white cape and what appeared to be a black leotard. This costume had been described previously as a "corpse queen."
The dustup occurred on 50th, when the Polish crew just got to close and Obama made the comments at the top of this pool report. One of the crew did not seem to understand English, and it was at that point that Obama removed his sunglasses to make himself clear. The pool retreated a few paces, as did the Polish crew. A few moments later, Obama broke into a run with Sasha at his side. He bounded east on 50th, turning north on Woodlawn, still in a trot.
Michelle and daughter Malia's whereabouts could not be confirmed.
Staking out the Halloween party now.
Comments
Wonder what he will be like if he ges into the White House-
Dosen't sound good, as Americans are use to their freedom-
Posted by: Inky | October 31, 2008 10:02 PM
He's looking tire and starting to get grey hair.
Welcome to the White House and middle age.
I continue to be amazed at how, e.g., some Polish press crew can get this close and create a situation where he has to act like a starlet being chased by paparazzi.
Posted by: ornery | October 31, 2008 10:58 PM
He shouldn't be biting teh hand that feeds him. The MSM has built him up and can tear him down just as quick.
But would they do that to a fellow lib?
Posted by: Terry | November 1, 2008 12:06 AM
For the sake of those children they should leave him alone during a private moment.
Geeez
Posted by: mamabear | November 1, 2008 12:09 AM
are you kidding?
Can't we allow the man a walk with his daughter without an opinion?
Posted by: alison | November 1, 2008 12:39 AM
Oh, please! Obama has been graciously and constantly available to the press 24/7, for two years. There is nothing wrong with a father wanting some private time with his young daughter on a holiday, without the intrusion of the press. Next, you'll be complaining that he was annoyed when you followed him into the bathroom, expecting to interview him there, too!
How about a little courtesy, consideration and common sense on the part of the press!
Posted by: Carol L. in Boston | November 1, 2008 12:51 AM
Joe the plumber didn't run away like a little girl.
Oh...and this was just posted on The Drudge Report....Obama's aunt who's living in the slums of Boston is, get this, illegal!
Duhhhhhhh!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | November 1, 2008 1:50 AM
The press had better be careful or they will get booted off of the plane.
It appears Obama has a problem with the media unless they do his bidding. This blog was shut down for a week after his campaign called on it's supporters to overwhelm the Phil Rosenberg show on WGN-720 when he objected to Phil having an Obama critic on the program.
Posted by: Joe Jankovic | November 1, 2008 7:18 AM
I think any man, even the president, should be allowed to enjoy being a father for his children at times. Maybe the question is, why isn't McBush home for his children at Holloween?
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | November 1, 2008 8:29 AM
Obama has shown he can play hardball with the press if they do not do his bidding!
Yesterday, three newspapers that endorsed McCain were informed that their reporters can no longer ride on the campaign plane.
Several weeks back Joe Biden did not like the questions asked of him in Florida and the campaign indicated that they will not submit to any additional interviews from that news station.
Early this summer the campaign twice called on it's supporters to overwhelm the Phil Rosenberg show on WGN-720 radio after he booked individuals critical of Obama. Phil offered to have an individual from the Obama campaign present to rebut the guests but the campaign refused and wanted them cancelled. A consequence of the first appearance was this blog "The Swamp" was shut down for nearly a week.
These actions make me wonder how Obama will treat the press if he becomes President!
Posted by: Pat H | November 1, 2008 9:23 AM
Annoyed? the press has been licking his boots for two years He would be just another run of the mill politician. if it wasn't for the media bias, let's hope that this vast left wing conspiracy ends in defeat. They support Abortion which is a nice way of saying Murder. Last count was near 50 million innocents. As any good religious person knows we are all borne in the likeness of GOD. Add also the fact of what the loss of human potential, its shameful.
Posted by: paul | November 1, 2008 10:41 AM
Please. There is a level of privacy that even the President of the United States deserves.
Bob Dylan once quipped, "Even the president of the United States must sometimes have to stand naked," but does anyone really want to see that?
Obama acknowledged to Brian Williams that it would be hypocritical of him to spend millions of dollars for attention and then complain about a lack of privacy. But surely even the Republican party (I know GW and Laura agree) and their friends in the right-wing media can agree that the children of the politicians deserve privacy.
Posted by: Jorge from Bloomington | November 1, 2008 11:42 AM
You mean to say he didn't share his time with the press? What kind of socialist is he? Won't share his time...bad, bad, move for a politician to act like a normal person, a "real" american...
Posted by: pd | November 1, 2008 11:51 AM
The press better behave - they might get kicked off the Obama Polluting Jet - Like the Washington Times, New York Post, and Dallas Morning News - all papaers that endorsed McCain. Obama is starting to compose his enemies list.
Posted by: Terry | November 1, 2008 11:54 AM
What a piss-poor story. Really guys, if he wants a little alone time with his family, let him be! I could care less what street he walked on at what time!!! How in the world is knowing what party he is attending goign to affect the presidential race? I know reporters have to do their "job" too, but this is overboard.
Posted by: Xcellentform | November 1, 2008 12:18 PM
It's pretty funny hearing from all the wingnuts who have been silent for 8 years while Bush bullied and threatened the media, used access as a weapon, staged rallies that were completely closed the the general public so he could avoid reality, and used media stooges like Judith Miller to disseminate propaganda. Now these wingnuts are outraged (OUTRAGED!) that Obama wants to have some private family time.
Guess family values is out of style now, huh winguts?
Posted by: Sidewinder | November 1, 2008 2:13 PM
Listen Obama was with his daughter and this was his time with his kid"s. They had no business running up on him like that. Give him some Respect and time with his kid's on Halloween. If that was me I would had punch the hell out of you and keap on walking.
Posted by: millie | November 1, 2008 3:25 PM
Poor guy... It sucks that he's practically getting stalked...
Posted by: adamson | November 1, 2008 3:57 PM
It's so hard to imagine "well-intentioned" press personnel shadowing Obama and his little daughter. Does the press have no sense of decorum? No sense of courtesy? No sense that little girl should be "off limits?" Under any scenario that makes sense, the press should not have forced the child into the spotlight where her parents didn't want her to be.
Posted by: Kaelinda | November 1, 2008 6:29 PM
PAT H.: WHAT ABOUT Palin, who considered it being harassed when Couric asked her what newspapers she read????...HOW LONG WAS she off limits...even though she's SUPPOSED TO BE running for vp!!!!!...I guess the 'little girl " had to be protected for fear we'd see how ignorant she is!!!!!
Posted by: MDawson | November 1, 2008 10:33 PM
Leave the guy alone, he can even walk on the street.
Posted by: IL voter | November 2, 2008 6:28 AM
my goodness,let president obama have some family time remember he's and father and husband first.he along with his staff drove down michigan ave 10-31-08. the neighborhood did'nt chase him down, and those of you who's hating to each his own. u go president obama i'm happy for you.
Posted by: cynthia | November 2, 2008 6:52 PM